Network activities between, and among, stakeholders (Finland's Sustainable Extractive Industry Action Plan)

Challenge the practice is addressing: There was a need in Finland for a more broadly based approach and a strengthened framework for implementing agreed actions in the Minerals Strategy. The National Action Plan meets both these needs, while at the same time promoting coherence and consistency across the various initiatives being undertaken as a result of the Action Plan, which seeks to improve policy and the legislative framework.

Concrete practice to achieve the expected goal: Networking activities for the involvement of stakeholders during the design and implementation stage cover the following mechanisms and characteristics: a) Setup of multi-stakeholder working groups during the design stage: In the initial design of the Action Plan, the ministry decided to set up a total of ten working groups to identify and further elaborate actions during several meetings. Participation in these working groups was open to anyone with no limitations regarding the organisational background or number of participants allowed to attend. Working group attendance was characterised by a large number and diverse set of experts with different institutional backgrounds. b) Transparent, knowledge-based and facilitated communication: Due to the large number and the cross-cutting nature of these working groups, professional and neutral facilitators were present during the whole process. Furthermore, it supported a communication approach that was based on facts and practical and relevant experiences, in order to address the miscommunication and trust issues.

Expected impact/goal of the practice: By building on the original national Mineral Resources Strategy in the Action Plan, Finland has achieved a high political profile for the sector through its engagement with a broader public, strengthening its commitment to developing a sustainable industry. In order to prioritize actions and monitor progress with the Action Plan, an ‘Extractive Industries Working Group’ has been established under the Ministry of Employment and the Economy, which has representatives from several ministries and other parties. A major task of the Working Group is to ensure a continuation of the dialogue between the various stakeholders, but it is also responsible for collecting data on the implementation of the Action Plan, reporting to ministries on progress, and communicating results, and any requirements for up-dating, to the general public.

Who is the target user group of the practice/intervention or implementing the practice/intervention? This practice is for policymakers on public level.